LOOP alongside ATP will curate weekend 2 of ATP - End Of An Era running from November 29th-December 1st.

The weekend’s early confirmations alongside LOOP include The Pop Group, 23 Skidoo, Fennesz, Oneohtrix Point Never, Edan (DJ set), Eaux, Hookworms, The KVB and Thought Forms. More information on ATP – End of An Era and reduced price tickets can be found at www.ATPFestival.com

This year will also see the reissue of ‘Fade Out’(June 10th) and ‘A Gilded Eternity’(Aug 19th) on LP. Limited to 3000 copies, the albums are re-mastered from the original analogue source and available as 45rpm double vinyl (with download code) via Reactor.

With the Heaven’s End LP already being available the LP reissue of A World in Your Eyes is currently in the works for release in 2014.

It was a long time ago... and it didn't really finish that well. I'm not sure anyone of us can really put our fingers on specific reasons, for they are legion, but after many many years of being asked why not play again, I can't seem to find any excuses for why not to anymore.To always pursue a forward motion has been my goal, but what goes around comes around as they say.

It seems that as much as you try to run as far as you can away from it, your past will always haunt you. I have never really slept well over the demise of Loop, it always felt unfinished. If I had a pound coin given to me for every time I get asked to reform Loop, I'd be a very rich man by now. I had always baulked at the idea, especially when I have been asked to perform songs with a pick-up band, something I could never do... ever.

It's not that I am precious, but at the same time, without John and Neil holding down that centre, I'd never be able to wave, it would never be the same.

I'm so proud to say that the line-up of John Wills, Neil Mackay, Scott Dowson and myself have agreed to perform a limited number of shows from late 2013 to mid 2014 at various venues across the world. To perform from all stages of the Loop arc, enjoy it again, hoping that we make plenty of people happy again and maybe give people a chance to see it for the first time... then, we can put it finally to rest with a better feeling of completion and that a chapter is really over. I sincerely hope it maybe refreshing to us and to others. For some, it may simply not be on their radar anymore. Well, it's simple enough for them, don't buy a ticket. It's going to blink and you miss it because it's not going to be around long, I refuse to prolong it and for it to become embarrassing. It'll be sharp and to the point...straight to your heart and then, it's gone.

ATP is the only place this could happen and be done well. Who else would offer the chance not only to play but also curate some of the bands alongside Loop on the day. It's quite special to be able to do this and make it happen. Besides, Barry Hogan has pestered me for so long about this, it would seem rather unfair not to let him have his 5 minutes of fame getting Loop to play again.

RH April 2013

MORE ABOUT LOOP

“In the second half of the 1980’s Loop were one of a trio of English groups who used a blueprint of ‘69 influenced pyschedelia to create something startlingly original... LOOP drew on the primal force of predecessors such as VU, The stooges and Suicide as a launchpad for their own excursions into the realms of mind expansion.” Mojo

LOOPwas formed in Croydon, London, 1986 byRobert Hampson(vocals/guitars) and partnerBeki Stewart(Bex) on drums. After findingGlen Rayon bass, through an advert in Melody Maker, they began to perform live and were quickly signed toHEAD Recordsrun by Jeff Barrett (Heavenly) who released their feedback-drenched debut 12”16 Dreams.

Following line-up changes - the arrival of new drummerJohn Wills, new bassistNeil MacKayandJames Endeacotton second guitar the band were to take a more primal rhythmic foundation captured on their impressive debut full-lengthHeavens End(1987).

The band managed to hypnotise all with their discordant trance-like spell which served as an antidote to the prevailing trend in British pop at the time - they resurrected the concept of loud out there-rock for a new era, creating droning soundscapes of bleak beauty and harsh dissonance, loosely influenced by bands such as The Velvet Underground, The Stooges, The MC5, but retaining an avant-garde and experimental edge from Can, Faust, Neu!, Rhys Chatham, Glenn Branca and minimalist systems music, to name but a few. Live shows were revelatory, Loop, allowing LOUD as an constant descriptive term, they pushed PAs to the very edge of their existence, creating a sonic pummel not really experienced since.

A collection of singles and B-sides, The World in Your Eyes, appeared on HEAD in 1987 and after the departure of Endeacott the band signed to the Chapter 22 label, releasing the Collision 12" as well their more sparse and discordant second full-length, Fade Out.

With another label change, this time to Situation Two Records, the band replaced Endeacott’s vacant position with Scott Dowson and veered towards more ethereal soundscapes on A Gilded Eternity (1990) which was to be their final album.

After 4 years of pushing the boundaries, the band disbanded with only a BBC sessions collection Wolf Flow (1991) released after the band’s demise.

The band's catalogue was remastered and reissued on CD in 2008-2009.

“crucial listening” Classic Rock

“devastating” NME

“These were stars that burned and shone with an intense brightness, and it's testament to Loop's vision and delivery that the mark they made is indelible." The Quietus